The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has a new leader at the helm, and it’s a name that resonates with cricket fans across India—Venkatesh Prasad. On December 7, 2025, the former India fast bowler was elected president of the KSCA in a closely watched election that drew a turnout of 1,307 members at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Prasad’s victory, with 749 votes over seasoned administrator KN Shanth Kumar’s 558, marks a pivotal chapter for Karnataka cricket as it seeks to recover from a turbulent year marred by tragedy and uncertainty.
The elections, originally slated for November 30 but postponed to December 7, unfolded against the somber backdrop of the June 4 stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade—a disaster that claimed 11 lives and cast a long shadow over the state’s cricketing future. The incident not only sidelined the iconic venue from hosting major fixtures, including exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2026, but also raised questions about whether IPL matches might be shifted away from Bengaluru entirely. The stakes, both symbolic and practical, could hardly have been higher.
Prasad’s ‘Game Changers’ panel rode a wave of support from the cricketing community, including the open endorsement of former India stalwarts Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, both of whom previously held top KSCA posts. The panel’s campaign was laser-focused on a single mission: restoring the glory of Chinnaswamy Stadium and bringing back high-profile cricket to Karnataka. "First and foremost, this is a victory for the sport of cricket. Secondly, this is a victory for all the members who wanted a change, all the people who wanted international cricket to come back to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This is a victory for all stakeholders—the cricket fans," Prasad declared after the results were announced, according to The Hindu.
The election was a keenly contested affair, with voting held between 10 am and 5 pm at the very stadium whose fate dominated the campaign. Notable figures including former India captain Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar cast their ballots, underscoring the significance of the occasion. Shivakumar, for his part, was emphatic about Bengaluru’s cricketing future: "I will not allow shifting of IPL matches from here; we will ensure they are held here in Bengaluru. This is a question of Bengaluru and Karnataka’s pride," he told reporters.
Joining Prasad in the new KSCA executive are several other prominent names. Sujith Somasundar, another former India cricketer who recently left his post as head of education at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, was elected vice-president with 719 votes, defeating D. Vinod Shivappa (588 votes). Santosh Menon, who previously served as KSCA secretary from 2019 to 2022, reclaimed the secretary’s post after a tight contest, securing 675 votes to ES Jairam’s 632. BN Madhukar will serve as treasurer after winning 736-571 over MS Vinay. The only major post not won by the Game Changers went to BK Ravi of the Brijesh Patel-backed camp, who edged out AV Shashidhara 669-638 for joint secretary.
The Bangalore Zone representatives also reflect the panel’s dominance. Former women’s team cricketer Kalpana Venkatachar (764 votes), ex-Karnataka wicketkeeper-batter Avinash Vaidya (691 votes), and Aashish Amarlall (703 votes) were all elected from Prasad’s slate, signaling a broad mandate for change within the association.
Prasad’s cricketing pedigree is beyond question. Having played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs for India, and previously serving as KSCA vice-president from 2010 to 2013, he brings both experience and gravitas to the role. Yet, the challenges he faces are formidable. The June 4 stampede has left M Chinnaswamy Stadium in a state of limbo. No major domestic or international matches have been staged since the tragedy, and the stadium’s omission from the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule was a bitter pill for local fans. As Prasad himself acknowledged in a recent press interaction, "Our sole objective is to revive top-level cricket at Chinnaswamy Stadium and to bring back international matches and IPL fixtures. That is our mission. We also hear that the Bengaluru franchise might play some matches outside Bengaluru. Why should that happen?"
The election campaign was not without its share of drama. The last-minute deferral of the polls left candidates and voters alike frustrated. "We were stunned to learn that the elections have been deferred to 30 December. The primary focus here should be cricket, not politics. We are not participating for political reasons," Prasad had said, voicing his disappointment but reaffirming his respect for the Election Commission’s decisions. The delay, however, did little to dampen the resolve of the Game Changers panel, which ultimately swept four of the five top posts.
For many observers, the election outcome is a mandate for action. The panel’s manifesto and public statements have repeatedly emphasized the need to "actively work towards bringing cricket back to Chinnaswamy" and ensuring that the stadium resumes its role as a regular venue for high-profile fixtures. The exclusion from the T20 World Cup and the uncertainty over IPL matches have galvanized both the new leadership and the broader cricketing community. Fans, stakeholders, and even political leaders are united in their demand for a swift and effective revival.
There’s also a sense of renewal within the association itself. As Santosh Menon described the result, it was a "victory for truth and fairness." The presence of respected former players in the executive, and the support of legends like Kumble and Srinath, have injected fresh credibility into the KSCA at a time when it is sorely needed.
Looking ahead, the immediate priorities for Prasad and his team are clear: restore public confidence, address the security and logistical concerns that led to the June tragedy, and negotiate with cricketing authorities to ensure the return of major matches to Bengaluru. The new leadership’s success will be measured not just in administrative reforms but in the roar of crowds returning to Chinnaswamy Stadium for the biggest games in Indian cricket.
As the dust settles on a dramatic election, Karnataka cricket stands at a crossroads. With Venkatesh Prasad’s team now firmly in place, the stage is set for a determined push to reclaim the state’s cricketing legacy and ensure that the spirit of the game once again thrives in the heart of Bengaluru.
